I’m here to help you move your boat
from one part of the waterway network to another,
when you can’t do it for yourself.

As a helm, I’ve steered boats in many parts of the country over the past twenty five years, for myself, as a professional skipper and also as a volunteer for the Canal & River Trust.
I’m delighted to be able to offer you my skills and time when you need an effective and affordable way to get your boat from A to B.

So how much does it cost?
It depends on where and when. I charge per day of work, plus travelling costs.
Currently, my per diem is £80.00 and my standard travel costs are £50.00. You can work out how much a move is likely to cost with this handy web-app
, but when you contact me we can talk through all the options for itineraries and costs.

How long does a move take?
Most boats move at around 3 lockmiles* per hour. My working day is around 7 hours long (including mandatory breaks), so I work on moving 20 lockmiles* per day. This is the basis for the estimated number of days for a move given by this web-app
.*A lockmile is a mile of canal or a lock. So a 3 mile stretch of canal with 2 locks, is 5 lockmiles.

Are you qualified and insured?
Yes. In addition to my considerable experience, I have been certified as an Inland Waterways Helmsman by the RYA and have passed through the Canal & River Trust's volunteer skipper training, I also hold the CEVNI and ICC international qualifications. You can look over some of my various qualifications here.
As a business skipper, I hold public liability insurance to the value of two million pounds against any unforeseen accidents.

Will you fix my boat?
No. I will maintain your boat according to your instructions during its move, but I will not attempt any engine or other repairs.
If I think your boat is not fit to move, I will not move it.